The European Parliament have recently updated a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles. Type Approval is a European Community (EC) directive, and in the UK is managed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).
What does Category ‘N1’ mean?
Category ‘N’ vehicles are designed and constructed for use on the road, with or without bodywork having at least 4 wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25km/h.
Why does it affect our industry?
With a view to improving road safety, it is considered imperative and necessary that the cabs of motor vehicles of category ‘N’ do not exhibit sharp external projections to reduce the risk or the severity of injuries sustained by a person coming into contact with the external surface of the vehicle in the event of an accident. It also ensures that vehicle lights and number plates are clearly visible
What’s changing?
The Enhancements Scheme Process Document has been revised and new Type Approval processes come into effect from Monday 29th April 2013.
How long do I have to ensure I comply?
There’s a transitional period until 1 January 2014
Who will Type Approval affect?
It will only affect those that install products to un-registered vehicles with the DVLA on vehicles less than 2m high. All registered vehicles are currently un-effected.
Are Rhino Products affected?
Rhino Products including; Aluminium Rack, Modular Rack, Delta Bars, SafeStow, Pipe Tube and the SafeClamp have passed stringent TÜV testing which is the highest accolade in Europe and complies with all EC regs that Type Approval refers to already. Therefore fitting these products to vehicles should not hinder the Type Approval of the vehicle(s) in question. However, we are currently seeking extra advice and guidance to get specific answers on Type Approval for our customer base, as there is a lot of information published on this subject, but none that specifically concentrates on our industry.
For example, we have recently stopped producing the OCE (Over Cab Extension) systems as these would not comply with these standards. However, we will publish extra guidance as soon as it becomes available. See the next page for some information on ‘General Provisions and exclusions’ that requires further clarification.
UPDATE 29/04/13: Not only roof bars, but all types of roof racks are also exempt from the new Type Approval regulations on vehicles less than 2m high.
The following is lifted from the official VCA N1 Enhancements Scheme Document that requires further clarification on specifically what does and does not need controls.
Dated: 18th February 2013
“What are the General Provisions and Exclusions?
Many common modifications (particularly within the load space) which are of a semi-permanent or temporary in nature (such as ply lining, racking / shelving systems, etc.) can generally be treated as part of the vehicle payload. Hence it is not necessary to obtain any specific approval to cover these kinds of modifications. Similarly certain temporary modifications on the exterior of the vehicle may be treated in the same way; e.g. access steps, roof racks / bars, etc, such modifications are unlikely to affect the validity of the type approval of the vehicle concerned.
However, in some cases the modifications carried out by a converter will mean the type approval of the vehicle is no longer valid and so an additional approval is required for the vehicle.”
Download a pdf of this document here
Keep checking back here regularly for further information on the new Type Approval regulations.
Friday 26 April 2013
Tuesday 9 April 2013
Rhino Products - Maximising Safety
Rhino Products are pleased to introduce a brand new product – SafeStow3 – the latest incarnation of our popular SafeStow concept.
In developing this new product our Technical Team took the accumulated experience gained over years of SafeStow production before beginning a ground up redesign of the entire SafeStow concept.
SafeStow has always provided a safe and easy solution for loading and unloading ladders on to light commercial vehicles. The use of rigid aluminium alloy frame members, combined with supporting gas rams, allow ladders to be easily raised and lowered within seconds. The new design preserves all the best features of this popular product, whilst a no-compromise ground up redesign has injected fresh ideas and numerous innovative improvements.
Design Engineer, Dominic Gallagher, who has led the SafeStow3 design project from the start, outlines “We took everything that we learnt from the existing SafeStow product – both in terms of what we knew as engineers and what our consumers had told us, then started with a blank canvas to design an entirely new product, which would take the popular SafeStow concept to new levels of functionality and performance.”
Steve Egerton, Rhino Products’ Managing Director adds “I’m exceptionally proud of what we’ve created in the SafeStow3 and how it demonstrates our core values of innovation, strength and excellence.”
SafeStow3 boasts an exceptional range of innovative features and benefits, including:
Key Features:
• Three versions available to safely carry single, double (two parallel) and extra wide
ladders.
• Multi gas ram assisted (This eliminates the need to lift up/down heavy
ladders, significantly reducing potential lifting injuries)
• Safe loading and unloading in seconds
• Manufactured from highly robust aluminium & stainless steel components
• Fully adjustable to carry most ladder types
• Secure and lockable (padlock not included)
• Load Stops included
• Available in 2.2metre (RAS06) and 3.1metre (RAS07) lengths
• Fully independently approved 20g crash tested and TÜV approved
and new Technical Features:
• 5 way easy adjustable settings to optimise the resistance of the gas rams to the
weight of your ladders – for loading/unloading different weight ladders
• Ultra low overall height, with all gas rams remaining horizontal in operation
• Brass bushes and fully sealed roller bearings used throughout Strap Detail
ensure an effortless gliding action when operated
• Highly rigid and torsional strength design
• Universal fitting to ALL types of Rhino Roof Bars and Racks
• Improved aerodynamic design
• Use of the highest quality materials and coatings to ensure a long service life
SafeStow3 is currently shipping to Rhino Products stockists nationwide. Contact your local stockist for further details.
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